MAINE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL EAST 2601 West Dempster Street, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-1177 847-825-4484 Fax: 847-692-8260
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MAINE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL EAST 2601 West Dempster Street, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-1177 847-825-4484 fax: 847-692-8260 Dr. Michael W. Pressler Dr. Linda L. Rutschke Dino F. Di Legge Allison M. Gest Michael C. Wartick Principal Associate Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Students Teaching & Learning Student Services May 4, 2019 District 207’s Best for Achievement in Extracurricular Activities: Marcin Nieradka On behalf of the faculty and staff of Maine East High School, I am pleased to name Marcin Nieradka as one of “District 207’s Best” for his achievement in extracurricular activities. A review of Marcin’s transcript will show that he is an outstanding and highly motivated student, as evidenced by his classroom performance. He has consistently taken a full schedule of accelerated and Advanced Placement courses with an emphasis in math and science. As a sophomore he took AP European History and AP Calculus BC; as a junior he took AP Language and Composition, AP U.S. History, AP Physics 1, and Multivariable Calculus and Differentiated Equations; this year he is enrolled in AP Literature and Composition, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, and AP Physics C. Additionally, he completed three years of Spanish at the accelerated level, and has been a four-year member of East’s Gifted Lyceum and band programs (more about that later). Although the focus of tonight’s recognition is on extra-curricular achievement, we can’t overlook Marcin’s academic performance. Mark Dobner, Maine East mathematics teacher shared the following reflection: “Marcin was in my AP Calculus BC class two years ago and was enrolled in my Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations class last year. Throughout the time I have known him, Marcin has proven himself to be a phenomenal student and a wonderful, interesting person. For the past two years, I have witnessed Marcin’s commitment and dedication to his studies. He is a serious student who consistently puts great work and effort into all assignments, showcasing an eye for detail and an impressive acuity for problem solving. His academic accomplishments are many; and, suffice it to say, Marcin has undoubtedly proven himself to be an outstanding scholar and is deservedly recognized as one of our school’s top students.” Dr. David Schultz, Maine East science teacher commented: “Last year, I was Marcin’s teacher in AP Physics 1 and I am currently his teacher in AP Physics C. Marcin has distinguished himself as one of the most capable analytic thinkers I’ve taught in the last ten years. At the same time, he is a true leader in my classroom and in our school, and I have witnessed how he has elevated the learning experiences of those around him. Marcin’s analytical and quantitative reasoning skills are top-notch: he consistently demonstrates superior capabilities in problem-solving, applications of calculus, and general reasoning. His laboratory work is methodical and clearly organized, and he routinely shows great attention to details in our lab activities and investigations. Not only an enthusiastic learner, he is also a student who works hard to achieve this level of mastery, consistently completing all assignments and seeking help when he needs it. More generally, Marcin is an extremely positive role model to his peers. He asks great questions regularly in class, is a great collaborator and leader in group work, and generally seems to be someone all of my other students hold in high regard.” Moving from our focus on the purely curricular to the co-curricular offerings, Judy Tyler, Gifted Lyceum Coordinator, shared that Marcin has grown significantly as a learner throughout his years at Maine East, working to hone his time management skills as well as the ability to avoid procrastination. She further stated that, “his personal growth has come from a commitment to his studies and a desire for perpetual personal growth. He has a heart for service and has been an integral leader in the Lyceum's service learning projects; and has utilized his unique ability to gather his classmates around a cause to support multiple Lyceum projects.” As a member of the Maine East Bands (a unique blend of curricular, co- and extra-curricular offerings) Marcin has been an outstanding band member, musician, and leader for all four years of his high school career. He has been an alto saxophonist in the top Wind Ensemble all four years, has been a section leader of the Blue Regiment marching band for the past two years, has performed with our extra-curricular jazz band and V-Show pit, and he is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Director of Bands Pam Holt commented, “Marcin is talented and intelligent in many areas, music being one of many, and nearly everything comes easily to him. From crazy-advanced math and AP classes to water polo and diving - he does often seem superhuman. One of my favorite memories teaching and working with Marcin is when he was preparing for IMEA district concert band auditions. Maybe he decided to audition simply because of that, or that he needed another challenge on the saxophone. But what I remember is working with him on his music and drawing his attention to all of the details past the notes on the page. We talked the phrasing, the story, worked on the emotions, the vibrato, and the give-and-take within the music. Well, Marcin is math-minded like I am so his facial expressions toward me that afternoon were quite humorous. But I have felt like since he put himself out there to audition for that group and worked up that music both on his own and with me, he has found more musicality and the “life in the music” that really was all fast fingers and skill before. It has been a pleasure to teach and work with Marcin these past four years and I congratulate him on everything he has accomplished at Maine East.” Moving now to his extracurricular achievements, his water polo and swimming/diving coaches, Peter Przekota and Natalia Bialecka collaborated to draw a Marcin as a scholar athlete: “As captain of both the Water Polo and Swimming & Diving Teams at Maine East, Marcin is a great example of hard work and commitment. Juggling morning and afternoon practices with an intense AP course load, Marcin proved to all of his peers that one can be successful in both the classroom and athletics if they value and manage their time appropriately. Marcin never made excuses, he just always looked for ways to be better. He is extremely reflective in his practice, and this shows when he is competing; he is able to put to use all of the skills he has mastered in practice. He carries himself with the utmost class at all times. He reacts to a win the same way he reacts to a loss by asking the simple question: how can we can get better? As a junior he was named a CSL North All-Conference Water Polo Player, and is on pace to be recognized for this honor again this year. As a diver, he medaled in multiple invites, finished 8th at Conference, and 7th at sectionals; finishing the year with a PR. Marcin truly appreciates how athletics have impacted his life and wants to share that joy with all of his teammates. But not only was Marcin a part of athletics at Maine East, he was a part of the Fine Arts program as well. As a member of the band he has performed in a variety of shows from jazz bands to marching, he has done it all. When he was not performing, he was supporting his peers. We have seen him at multiple performances in the audience cheering on his peers.” From all accounts, Marcin Nieradka is a class act as an athlete, a musical performer, a scholar, and most importantly as a human being. His positive attitude, maturity, and eagerness to help others make him role model on how to find success in many different “areas” of our school. We are proud of his accomplishments and have no doubt that Maine East is a better place for all of his contributions. On behalf of the faculty and staff at East, we wish him all the best in his future endeavors - truly, he is one of 207’s Best! Sincerely, Dr. Michael W. Pressler Principal .